Background information

High degree of vulnerability regarding the natural factors and the modern-day requirements related to supplying geo-ecological information for the economy of Moldova, determines the need to train highly-qualified staff in this area.
The master’s degree program, Environmental Studies, is designed for the graduates of the Cycle I of undergraduate studies who hold higher education degree under the Geography and Environmental Studies specialty. The master’s degree program in the area of research is designed to build on and extend the theoretical knowledge in the area of Environmental Sciences, detailed study of issues related to Management and Monitoring of Environment and Sustainable Development, as well as modern techniques of study – Geographical Informational Systems (SIG), remote sensing etc. In order to accomplish the complex process of research as part of the master’s degree program, the program envisages the following core subjects: The Theory of Environmental Science, Methodology of Research and Analysis of Environmental Sciences, Environmental Changes, Environment Management and Sustainable Development that are meant to develop the instrumental skills of the graduate of Master’s degree program.
The Program Environmental Study is characterized by the complex study of environmental components, of natural and anthropic risks, of natural landscape changes.
The most important research, performed at the local and regional levels, are related to the use of Geographic Informational System, which allow for the operative and true processing of the informational basis regarding management and monitoring of environment.
The results achieved in the process of implementation of modern-day methods of research in the area of Environmental Sciences is associated with the issue of training of future experts, who will be endowed with all the special technical and practical means able to investigate this wide area of knowledge. There arises the need to train highly qualified staff with extensive background on both the current state of environment and the principles of maintaining a stable environmental status.
The master’s program envisages the study of core subjects: Research and technological development, Theory of Ecology and Environmental sciences, Sustainable development, Climate change, Environmental management, that are designed to develop core skills of the graduates. As part of the following specialty subjects of study: Geo-information and spatial analysis; Natural risks; Current environment and sustainable development; Methodology of research and analysis of environmental sciences; Environmental monitoring; Environmental law, Biodiversity, students acquire knowledge and skills specific for this major.  

Upon finalizing the program, the graduate students will acquire the following:

General skills:

• estimate the acquired knowledge before using it for a given goal;
• self-evaluate his/her own performances in the area of Environmental Sciences;
• conduct research in the field and laboratory;
• estimate the importance of achievements of Environmental Sciences for the society;
• apply ICT;
• communicate the achievements of research of the experts in the field as well as other areas of study.

Specific skills:

• to forecast the main directions of evaluation of environment components status;
• to justify the use of Geographic Informational System in the area;
• design and implement projects of scientific research in the area;
• come up with ideas for settling some issues specific for environment;
• set priorities of interdisciplinary studies in the scientific research;
• identify methods appropriate for the research objectives;
• adjust scientific achievements from other fields to the Environmental Sciences;
• apply innovations in the area of Environmental Sciences into practice;
• interpret the environmental concepts with a view to working out their own papers;
• use modern-day technologies for professional cooperation.

Institutes involved in conducting the program

Institute for Environmental Protection and Geography within ASM (Accreditation Certificate: series I No.023, Decree No. AC- 07/1-2, dated 25 November 2010);
Institute for Geology and Seismology within the ASM (Accreditation certificate: series I No.024, Decree No. AC-07/1-3, dated November 25, 2010);
Institute for Plant Protection and Organic Farming within ASM (Accreditation certificate: series 1 No. 017, Decree No. 45/AC, dated January 17, 2008).
Botanical Garden (Institute) of ASM (Certificate for accreditation Series I No. 006, Decree No. 16/AC, dated 16.02.2006)

Core scientific areas and applied scientific areas

The Scientific justification of complex estimation of landscapes. Cartographic modeling of environment components. The operative and scientific monitoring of weather status and climate status. Evaluation of regional climate changes in the context of global climate change. Development of identification and evaluation criteria of natural risk factors. Estimate of geo-environmental potential by using Geographic Informational Systems. Research on factors determining desertification of Republic of Moldova terrain. Study on the determining factors of green house effect and global warming. Environmental aspects of natural landscape conservation. Impact of human factors on environment pollution. The human impact on climate. Evaluation of radiologic status of land of Republic of Moldova. Research on the rural area of the Republic of Moldova. Implementing policies on environment of Republic of Moldova. Evaluation of functioning of integrated environmental monitoring in the Republic of Moldova. Implementing environmental principles on: review of projects from an environmental standpoint, impact survey, and environmental audit. National law on environment and harmonization with EU law. The geo-environmental education in the Republic of Moldova at pre-university, university and graduate levels. Mathematical modeling of environmental systems under Republic of Moldova conditions. Role of civil society in nature conservation. Environment standards.

Employment opportunities

The graduates of the Master’s program on Environmental Sciences shall follow-up on research as part of their PhD programs or will work as researchers within the laboratories of the relevant institutes under the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. Also, the graduates may be employed by environment agencies, test laboratories related to environment protection, laboratories of the public health care sector etc. Academic integrity

Career development is focused on active knowledge (through analysis, synthesis and investigations), the student is placed at the center of academic activity, thus motivating his/her interest and curiosity in the environmental phenomena. Concurrently, the respect for the knowledge produced by others is essential by showing the source of quotation. It is forbidden to cheat during exams, when writing papers or tests, while doing individual work and developing reports or essays. It is important to have proper interaction among students and academic staff. Observing the civic and academic conduct rules will ensure a high quality teaching process.